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Thursday, July 17, 2008

Banaue Rice Terraces

Hailed as the 8th Wonder of the World, the Banaue Rice Terraces showcase a truly mesmerizing display. These mus-walled rice terraces is North Luzon's most famous sight and has a pleasing, organic quality that differentiate the place from stone-walled terraces in most of the Cordillera.

World Heritage-listed, the Banaue Rice Terraces are impressive not only for their chiseled beauty but because they were created around two thousand years ago.

Here are some more photos I have taken from the place:

The rice terraces were built by the Ifugao. Along with being the most feared head-hunters in Cordillera, they were skilled engineers who invented a sophisticated irrigation system of bamboo tubes and elaborate mud channels to bring water to the terraces.

What's sad however is that some of the terraces are nearing deterioration because of the occurrence of calamities such as earthquakes and storms. Some farmers even opt not to continue farming because of the high costs farm goods as well as high-cost of eradicating pests such as worms and other bugs.

Aesthetically, there are even some houses made of galvanized sheets and cement which encroach on the rice terraces making them an eyesore.

While Banaue remains the center of the rich Ifugao culture, tourism undoubtedly shapes the town. A paved road from the lowlands ensures that thousands of tourists visit the place each year. There are numerous guides, drivers and hawkers around the area so the best option really is to ask the well-staffed Banaue Tourist Information Center in the town center.

It's worth to note that besides Banaue, there are four other Ifugao rice terraces that are included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. These are Batad, Mayoyao, Hapao and Kiangan. I am fortunate enough to trek in the terraces of two of the mentioned places and I will share pics and personal experiences on these places on my up-coming posts.

even the food served in the restaurants are geared to the tourist both local and foreign. In Batad, you can even order israeli cuisine and pancakes.

Banaue is not too good but is readily accessible. Batad is the best but one has to trek between 1 - 3 hours, depending on what route you take. Oman, if you don't mind, I have a unique cultural taboo account that I experienced in Batad:

now I envy you, bakit naman kc ang kapal nung fog d 2nd time I was there. The locals advised us not to go down bec its too dangerous, so we packed r things and travelled back na. I love ur post (dami ko nakukuha idea kung san dapat maglakwatsa...hihi)..

Wow so beautiful. Did you take from a plane? The rice terraces are so lovely and neat. We need to thanked the rice planters for the rice we eat but geez.... price of rice is rising by about 30% ...sigh.

@ lagal[og] - oggie, there was a talk recently of privatization of the rice terraces kasi some of these really have deteriorated because of nature na rin. the guide i was with then however said that it is a far-fetched idea because of ownership issues. sana nga lang mapreserve nila yung place wether privatization prosper or not kasi the place really thrives on tourism.

@ anonymous - although it's really best to go to the terraces, going to four view decks around town wasn't really a bad idea. although it can relly be quite foggy, the best view of the terraces happens really when the sun starts to set.

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all photos and articles are properties of atty. oman a.k.a lawstude. i know my rights and know how to use them. if you are interested in these photos, please e-mail me at oman[underscore]serapio[at]yahoo[dot]com.